Category Archives: Real Jewish Weddings

Cute boy + cute girl = true love. That’s simple addition, but Melissa needed a little extra help with the harder college math and lucky for her, she had a great tutor who would also someday become her husband. But before that would happen, the first order of operations was Melissa asking Josh to her sorority formal where they had their first official date.

After five years of dating, Josh and Melissa spent the day in Old Saint Augustine where they went wine tasting and enjoyed a lovely tapas dinner. During a lull in the conversation, he got down on his knee and asked the big question. Melissa was so excited and emotional that she forgot to say “yes” and Josh had to confirm she accepted his proposal so he could finally stand up.

Josh is Jewish and both the bride and groom wanted to make sure that their religions were portrayed without overshadowing the other, and it was a learning process they both enjoyed. Melissa loves the symbolism of the chuppah, and built it from scratch with her mom. They intended for it to be the centerpiece of their wedding ceremony and it certainly made for a beautiful and meaningful, picture-perfect scene. Including traditions from their own religions represented Josh and Melissa as individuals, but the came together as a couple to show that love unites: a perfect equation!

Mazel tov, Melissa and Josh!

Venue– The River House
Photographer- Gwendolyn Tundermann Photography
Coordinator– Sara Grace/The BIG Event
Cake– Dream Theme Custom Cakes
Entertainment / Music– McGee Entertainment
Caterer– Moore Fine Foods
Dress– www.preownedweddingdresses.com
Makeup Artist- Artistry By Erin
Hair Stylist – Beauty By Alison LeeAnn
Officiant – Reverend Mike Hailey & Rabbi Barry Altman
Favors – Shutterbooth
Bridesmaids’ Dresses– Bella Bridesmaid
Tuxedos– Michael’s Formal Wear
Ketubah – ketubah.com

This Real Wedding was made possible to a partnership with Two Bright Lights!

It all began in the winter of 2007 on the very first Pathways Israel trip. Through a series of random seat changes, Danielle and Jason ended up sitting next to each other on the eleven-hour plane ride from New York to Israel. Needless to say, that was plenty of time to establish a connection, and they both enjoyed learning about their Jewish heritage and visiting cultural sites together during their two weeks in Israel. After the trip, Danielle went back to Michigan and Jason went back to California. However, as fate would have it, Danielle landed a teaching job in California and moved across the country eight months later.

As time went on, Jason and Danielle grew together in their Jewish observance. By the time Jason proposed during a visit to Ojai, California the weekend before Danielle’s birthday, the couple knew that they wanted to have a traditional Orthodox wedding. Jason made a beautiful speech at the tish as Danielle greeted all of her guests. Danielle’s most emotional moment was when she and Jason saw each other for the first time in a week as Jason placed the veil over her face during the bedeken. After the ceremony, which was held in the beautiful main sanctuary at Nessah Synagogue, the couple and their guests danced to traditional Jewish music and enjoyed a delicious kosher lunch. By the end of the day, everyone was exhausted from all of the dancing. Guests of all religious backgrounds and observance levels had a blast.

Mazel tov, Danielle and Jason!

Venue- Nessah Synagogue
Photographer- David Miller Studios
Music- Nefesh Music
Catering/Coordination- Simply Perfect Desserts and Catering
Linens & Vases- Heavenly Party Decorations
Videographer- Video Keepsakes
Flowers- A Flower Snob
Jeweler- Sean’s Jewelers
Officiant- B’nai David Judea
Kippahs & Benchers- A1 Skullcap
Ketubah- Ketubah.com

Two cultures come together in one wedding with the focus on love. Rachel and Nikko met as teenagers and wanted their long history together and their close-knit families to play a primary role in their Jewish and Filipino infused wedding. The chuppah was most important because the couple wants to always feel protected and bonded throughout their lives. Nikko broke the glass at the end of the ceremony in order to remember the great city of Jerusalem and Rachel’s heritage.

Rachel’s father, who conducted the ceremony, instructed Nikko to break the glass and Nikko was so nervous that it wouldn’t break during the big moment. So after the first stomp, he nervously looked at Rachel’s father then stomped on it again and asked, “Did I break it?” Everyone laughed as Rachel’s father said, “Yup!” and of course they now live happily ever after.

Mazel tov, Rachel and Nikko!

Venue- 129 Coosa
Photographer- Chelsea Patricia Photography
DJ- Oz Entertainment

This Real Weddings submission was made possible by Two Bright Lights! The Wedding Yentas is always looking to feature beautiful Jewish weddings.